PLEA  FOR  THE  INDUSTRIOUS  POOR  AND  STRANGERS,  IN  SICKNESS. 


AN 

ADDRESS 

DELIVERED  AT 

THE  OPENING  OF  AN  EDIFICE 

Erecteti  hvt  tlje  ^vustccs 

OF 

THE    NEW- YORK    DISFENSAZIY ; 

JANUARY  11,  1830. 

EXHIBITING  A  VIEW  OF  THE  OBJECTS  OF  THE  INSTITUTION, 
ITS  PLAN,  RESOURCES,  HISTORY  AND  PECULIAR  CLAIMS  TO 
PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE  BENEFACTIONS. 


BY 'JOHN  FREDERICK  SCHROEDER,  A.M. 

AN  ASSISTANT  MINISTER  OF  TRINITY  CHURCH,  IN  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK  ; 
A  LIFE  MEMBER  OF  THE  DISPENSARY. 


God  is  the  prolectoi'  of  strangers  and  suppliants. 

Apollonii  Argon,  lib.  iii.  1.  9S5 


NEW- YORK: 
PRINTED  AT  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  PRESS, 
No.  46  Lumber-Stretl, 

1830. 


lEx  ICtbrtfi 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


"l '  'Fort  nte4it/  ^ylm^erJa.m'  oj^  Mtrnhatarus 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  hook 

Because  it  has  heen  said 
"Ever  thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  hook." 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  NEW-YORK  DISPENSARY. 


trustees. 

JOHN  WATTS,  President. 
LINDLEY  MURRAY,  Treasurer, 
JAMES  F.  DE  PEYSTER,  Sccrctarij. 


John  Watts,  Jun.,  M.  D. 
Edwakd  W.  Laight, 
George  T.  Trimble, 
Lewis  Willcocks, 
R.  Graves,  M.  D. 


H.  G.  Stevens, 
Gilbert  Smith,  M.  D. 
W.  Vi.  Fox, 
Moses  Field, 
M.  Van  Schaick. 


©onsultfnfl  3.3j)i)sfcians  mts  Surgeons. 


John  Watts  Jun.,  M.  D. 
GUbert  Smith,  M.  D. 
Francis  U.  Johnson,  M.  D. 


A.  H.  Stevens,  M.  D. 
John  C.  Cheesman,  M.  D. 
John  A.  Smith,  M.  D. 


John  James  Graves,  M.  D.  Benjamin  B.  Coit,  M.  D. 

Clark  Wright,  M.  D.  A.  Van  Gelder,  M.  D. 

D.  L.  M.  Peixotto,  M.  D.  George  Griswold,  M.  D. 

Joseph  W.  Duvall,  M.  D.  Arthur  Bronson,  M.  D. 

J,  D^ight  Harris,  M.  D.  James  T.  Cromwell.  M,  D. 


Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  an  Extra  Meeting  of  the  "Trustees  or  the 
New-York  Dispensary,"  heid  January  llth,  1830. 

Hesolr<:d^  That  the  thanks  of  the  Trustees  be  presented  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Schroeder,  for  his  very  appropriate  and  eloquent  Address,  delivered  at  the 
Dispensary  to-day ;  and  that  he  be  requested  to  furnish  a  copy  of  it  for  publica- 
tion. 

Resolved^  That  in  consideration  of  his  eminent  services  in  behalf  of  the  New- 
York  Dispensary,  on  the  occasion  of  the  opening  of  the  new  edifice,  he  be,  and 
is  hereby  elected  a  Member  for  Life. 

Bcsolvcd,  That  the  Committee  of  Arrangements  wait  upon  the  Rev.  Mr. 
>  Schroeder,  and  present  to  him  a  copy  of  these  Resolutions,  passed  by  tho 
Trustees. 

Br/  order  of  the  Board, 


James  F.  De  Peyster,  Secretary. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/pleaforindustrioOOschr 


ADDRESS. 


It  has  been  fabled  of  the  healing  god,  whose  shrine  was 
once  the  glory  of  the  Epidaurians,  that  his  nativity  was 
hailed  by  an  assembled  concourse.  And  were  the  genius 
of  this  Institution  now  discovered  to  our  eyes  ;  were  we  in- 
formed, by  a  divine  oracle,  of  all  that  blessedness,  which, 
by  its  sanative  virtues,  shall  be  bestowed  on  myriads  unborn : 
there  is  not  one  of  our  number  who  would  refuse  a  tribute 
of  respect,  and  at  the  same  time  a  free-will  offering. 

The  intelligence,  the  accomphshments,  the  learning,  and 
the  wealth  and  piety  assembled  here,  are  harbingers  of  good 
things  to  come.  In  the  name  of  the  Institution,  which  you 
have  thus  distinguished,  I  would  now  bid  you  welcome. 
The  smiles  of  your  approbation  are,  we  trust,  tlie  morning 
beams  of  a  bright  day. 

Like  the  Athenians,  who  observed  an  annual  festival  in 
honor  of  the  healing  arts,  this  day  we  celebrate  our  Epi- 
dauria. 

And  as  we  now  appear  before  you,  we  would  exhibit  to 
your  view — 

First,  the  objects,  which  we  particularly  contemplate; 
>  and, 

In  the  second  place,  the  means,  which  we  propose  for 
their  attainment. 


[    6  ] 


I.  Our  sympathies  are  awakened  by  that  part  of  our 
great  community,  than  which  none  could  be  selected  more 
deserving. 

Ourpoor  maybe  regarded, as  constituting  three  classes. 

1.  There  are  not  a  few,  who  are  reduced  to  poverty  by 
vice,  and  above  all  by  gross  intemperance.  The  sad  details 
of  an  investigation,  under  the  eye  of  our  State  Government, 
represent  the  aggregate  of  these  sad  objects  to  be  lamenta- 
bly great.  Of  all  the  indigent,  they  have  certainly  the  least 
claim  to  our  beneficence.  But  while  they  loiter  through 
our  streets,  with  their  feigned  stories  of  distress, — by  well 
meant,  but  ill-judged  charity,  they  are  not  unfrequently  en- 
couraged ;  and  presuming  upon  the  kind  feelings  and  gene- 
rosity of  the  humane,  they  procure  from  them  the  very 
means  of  gratifying  their  propensity.  We  would  not  become 
the  almoners  of  such. 

2.  There  is  a  second  class,  who  are  reduced  to  suffering 
by  God's  afflictive  hand.  They  are  aged,  helpless  and  in- 
firm. And  being  destitute  of  the  ability,  by  which  a  liveli- 
hood might  he  obtained,  they  have  been  literally  thrown 
upon  the  mercy  of  the  public.  For  such,  thanks  to  the 
kind  emotions  which  suggested  it !  and  thanks  to  our  all- 
gracious  God,  for  that  Christian  charity,  which  first  inspired 
these  emotions  !  there  is  an  adequate  provision  made,  in  our 
Hospitals  and  Alms-house.*  The  Dispensary  is  ever  wil- 
ling to  extend  its  aid  to  such  as  these  ;  but  they  are  not  to 
be  regarded  as  the  objects  of  its  chief  solicitude. 

3.  Its  particular  attention  is  arrested  by  a  third  class,  for 


*  The  proscnt  number  of  inmates  in  our  City  Hospital  is  281.  In  the 
Bellevue  Hospital  there  arc  271.  And  there  arc  1839  in  our  Alms-house. 
Sec  the  last  Annual  Census  of  the  Humane  Institutions  of  the  City  of 
New-York,  by  the  attendint;  Minister,  John  Stanford,  D.D.,  Jan.  1,  1830. 


[    7  ] 


whom  no  suitable  provision  has  been  furnished.  Yet  they 
are  a  worthy,  and  most  interesting  part  of  our  population. 
It  is  only  under  certain  circumstances  of  distress,  that  they 
require  assistance. 

They  are  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  some  reputable 
business  ;  and  they  thus  obtain  from  the  community  rewards 
of  labor,  by  which  they  can  procure  the  necessaries,  if  not 
the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life.  They  are  industri- 
ous ;  they  are  diligent ;  they  are  successful.  And  while 
their  families  are  smiling  in  the  glow  of  health,  they  envy 
not  the  pampered  sons  of  pride  and  luxury.  To  all  the 
laboring  poor,  in  the  expressive  language  of  the  son  of  Si- 
RACH,*  "There  is  no  riches  above  a  sound  body;"  and  to 

them,  "  Health"  is  "  above  all  gold."    It  is  their  joy, 

when,  with  a  vigorous  frame,  they  can  "  go  forth  unto  their 
work,  and  to  their  labor  until  the  evening." 

But  when  they  are  fevered  by  disease  ;  when  their 
usual  daily  earnings  are  no  more  supplied  to  them ;  unless 
prompt,  suitable  assistance  be  afforded,  their  accustomed 
business  is  It  a  stand,  the  happy  smiles  of  the  domestic  circle 
are  exchanged  for  tears,  and  the  alluring  scenery  of  social 
happiness  is  covered  with  the  deep  shades  of  penury  and 
sorrow.  Here  is  a  husband  and  a  father,  on  the  bed  of  suf- 
fering :  and  shall  he  yield  to  the  suggestion,  that  the  Hospi- 
tal must  be  his  home,  and  that  his  family  must  be  abandon- 
ed to  a  precarious  subsistence?  Here  is  a  wife  and  mother: 
and  shall  she  be  induced  to  leave  the  centre  of  her  anxious 
cares  and  dearest  hopes  ?  There  is  a  feeble  infant :  and 
shall  it  be  removed,  in  sickness,  from  its  fond  parents'  ten- 
der assiduities  ? 

Is  there  one  of  us,  who  could  be  reconciled  to  partings 


*  III  tho  book  EccLEsiASTicus,  Chap.  xxx.  r.  lbs. 


[    8  ] 

such  as  these  1  There  is  in  every  heart  a  throb,  that  elo- 
quently answers,  No  !  This  husband  and  this  father,  and 
this  wife  and  mother,  and  this  tender  infant  may  be  relieved, 
at  their  respective  habitations. 

"And  He,  who  stills  the  raven's  clam'rous  nest, 

And  decks  the  hly  fair  in  flow'ry  pride, 
Does,  in  a  way  his  wisdom  sees  the  best, 

For  them  and  for  their  little  ones  provide." 

There  is  one  thought  connected  with  our  subject,  that  is 
particularly  deserving  of  attention.  A  great  part  of  all, 
who  may  be  termed  our  laboring  poor,  are  strangers;  who 
have  come  to  us  from  foreign  lands,  to  breathe  our  atmo- 
sphere of  liberty,  and  share  with  us  the  blessedness  of  our 
admirable  institutions.  They  have  entered  into  fields  of 
honest  industry ;  they  have  begun  to  reap  from  them  ap- 
propriate rewards  ;  they  are  allured  by  gladdening  antici- 
pations of  an  abundant  harvest.  But  in  the  midst  of  their 
career,  they  are  surprised  by  sickness.  They  are  in  a  laixd 
of  strangers  ;  they  are  in  utter  helplessness  ;  they  are  re- 
moved from  friends.  Their  tale  of  wo  is  sent  across  the 
mighty  deep  ;  but  long  before  the  friendly  tear  at  home  can 
be  awakened  by  their  narrative,  their  bodily  and  mental  suf- 
ferings demand  our  sympathy. 

It  is  the  language  of  a  celebrated  Heathen  poet,* 

"  All  the  poor  and  all  strangers  arc  from  God." 

And  while  our  Holy  Faith  inculcates  the  same  precept  with 
inspired  sanctions,  shall  we  behold  that  poor  sick  stranger  in 
his  corporeal  sufferings,  and  yet  pass  by  ^^on  the  other  side 


*  Homer  uses  the  expression,  in  two  passages  of  his  Odyssey;  sec  Z'. 

207.,  and  H'.  57.  npbs  ydp  Aibs  elaiv  anavTCS 

HtTvoi  r£,  nro)xoi  re. 


[    9  ] 


There  is  in  every  heart  a  prompt  answer,  No  !  Let  suitable 
relief,  with  Christian  kindness,  be  extended. 

Both  the  stranger,  and  the  industrious  poor  are  certainly 
appropriate  objects  of  commiseration.  It  is  for  such,  that 
the  Dispensary  feels  a  deep  and  anxious  soHcitude. 

Pecuniary  aid  is  ever  liable  to  be  abused.  And  did  Ex- 
perience unfold  to  us  a  single  page  of  her  sad  records,  we 
should  discover  multitudes,  who  have  been  thus  allured  into 
gross  indolence  and  feigned  distress.  But  the  Dispensary 
has  no  such  offerings  to  exhibit.  It  has  no  pecuniary  chari- 
ties. Yet  it  goes  forth,  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  the  Apos- 
tle,* declaring,  "  Silver  and  gold  have  I  none,  but  such  as  I 
have  give  I  thee."  From  house  to  house,  it  alleviates  men's 
bodily  infirmities,  and  "giveth  medicine  to  heal  their  sickness. 

Animated  by  this  spirit,  it  has  long  proceeded,  with  great 
system  and  great  ardor,  in  its  benignant  enterprise.  It  has 
divided  our  whole  metropolis  into  districts,  and  an  attending 
physician  has  been  assigned  to  each.  Consulting  physicians 
have  been  appointed.  And  a  regular  plan  of  visitation  has 
been  established,  by  which  the  actual  condition  of  the  Dis- 
pensary may  be  ascertained.  In  the  performance  of  their 
duties,  the  attending  physicians  have  gone  forth.  They  have 
entered,  with  all  diligence,  their  assigned  spheres  of  action  ; 
and  the  reports,  which  they  have  made  to  the  Trustees,  de- 
velope  an  attractive  series  of  operations. 

Not  content  with  the  relief,  which  it  has  extensively 
afforded,  the  Dispensary  desires,  with  a  provident  benefi- 
cence, to  anticipate  disease. 


*  St,  Petek,  in  the  Acts  of  the  Ai'Dstle^,  Chap.  iii.  r.  6. 

2 


[    10  ] 

Among  the  various  ills  "  that  flesh  is  heir  to,"  there 
is  one,  that  may  be  justly  numbered  with  the  greatest 
enemies  of  our  race.  From  the  remotest  period  of  the 
world,  it  has  tyrannically  scourged  the  empires  of  the 
Oriental  continent ;  and  conveyed  from  China  to  Hindoo- 
stan,  and  thence  to  the  Arabian  shores  about  the  middle  of 
the  sixth  century,  having  previously  traversed  with  its  pol- 
luting steps  the  north  coast  of  Africa,  it  entered  Europe 
with  the  desolating  armies  of  the  Saracens  :  fit  emblem  of 
its  rapid,  wide-spread,  merciless  career  !  In  times  past,  it 
has  caused  the  nations  of  the  earth  to  mourn,  over  the  un- 
timely fate  of  a  tenth*  of  all  their  departed.  And  un- 
sated  with  its  cruel  carnage  of  unnumbered  dead,  it  has  de- 
formed the  living.  Not  unfrequently  erasing  those  myste- 
rious lineaments,  by  means  of  which  the  soul's  most  secret 
workings  are  inscribed  upon  the  countenance,  it  has  set  the 
stamp  of  its  implacable  malignity,  upon  the  very  features  of 
the  "  face  divine." 

To  arrest  the  progress  of  this  Monster, — long,  longf  be- 
fore his  foul,  Sirrocco  breath  had  breathed  on  Europe, 
small-pox  inoculation  is  said  to  have  been  practised  in  one 
region  of  the  East.  But  by  this  art,  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Celestial  Empire  only  mitigated  the  sad  influence  of  an 
enem}^,  whom  even  their  great  boasted  wall  could  not  shut 
out.  And  in  Europe,  "it  may  be  doubted,"  (I  adopt  the 
words  of  a  distinguished  surgeon, "it  may  be  doubted, 
whether  it  has  lessened  the  mortality  of  the  disease ;"  since 


*  See  Sir  Gilbert  Blank's  Tables,  in  the  Eclectic  Repertory,  Vol. 
X.  pp.  299,  and  311.  Phila.  1820. 

t  The  ffrcal  antiquity  of  small-pox  in  China,  and  the  early  practice 
of  inoculation  there,  are  stated  on  the  authority  of  the  Jesuits,  in  their 
Lettres  Edifiantes  et  Curieuses,  quoted  by  Dr.  Good,  in  his  Study  oj 
Medicine,  Vol.  III.  the  chapter  on  Enipyesis  Variola,  p.  54,  and  p.  78.  of 
the  edition  ISew-  York,  1827. 

t  Dr.  James  BRycE,  in  his  Practical  Observations  on  the  Inoculation 
of  Cow-pox,  Chap.  II.  Sect.  I,  p.  63.  of  the  edit.  Edinburgh,  1802. 


[  11  ] 


in  its  mildest  form  it  spreads  contagion,  to  all  such  as  have 
not,  hy  an  effectual  preventive,  been  secured  from  its  ma- 
lignant venom.  When  the  last  century  had  closed  its  cir- 
cuit, the  small-pox  proved  fatal,  in  the  proportion*  of  one 
person  out  of  every  seven  born  in  Glasgow ;  two  out  of 
every  thirteen  born  in  London  ;  and  in  Liverpool,  the  dis- 
couraging proportion  was  still  greater. 

Well  might  the  human  family  direct,  on  every  side,  their 
earnest  looks,  for  some  one  to  save  them  from  their  general 
wretchedness.  A  deliverer  arose.  He  took  his  censer; 
he  went  forth;  "he  stood  between  the  dead  and  the  living; 
and  the  plague  was  stayed."  It  was  the  privilege  of  Eng- 
land to  give  birth  to  the  illustrious  man. 

In  the  well  known  virus  of  vaccinia,  he  discovered  a  pre- 
ventive, which  is  so  harmless,  as  to  be  applied  with  safety  to 
the  feeblest  infant.  Since  the  original  publicationf  of  the 
discovery  in  the  year  1798,  the  welcome  messenger  of  mer- 
cy has  gone  forth.  Within  the  Prussian  States,  where  once, 
year  by  year,  no  less  than  forty  thousand  of  their  population 
were  p.rosfrated  by  Variola,  it  has  supplied  "the  garment  of 
praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness,"  and  its  discovery  is  com- 
memorated:}: by  an  annual  festival.  In  Copenhagen,  it  has 
reduced§  the  ravages  of  the  great  enemy,  from  fifty-five 
hundred  victims  during  ticehe  years,  to  one  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  during  sixteen  years.  In  Berlin,  during  the  year 
1819,  its  protection  shielded  all  the  population,  except  five- 


*  See  Bkyce's  Practical  Ob.^crvaf  ions  just  quoted,  Chap.II.  Sect.  I.  p.  Gl. 
t  The  memorable  work  of  Dr.  Jenker,  announcing  the  discover^-,  is 
entitled,  "  Inquiry  into  the  Causes  and  Effects  of  the  Variolce  Vaccina:/' 
t  On  the  14th  day  of  May,  at  Berlin. 

§  For  the  facts  here  stated,  see  Museum  of  For.  Lit.,  Vol.  X.  p.  2<S4. 
See  also  Dr.  Jenner's  Letter  to  W.  Dillityn,  Esq.  ;  and  Sir  G.  Blank's 
Statement,  accompanying  his  Tables  just  quoted. 


[    13  ] 

and-ticenty.  For  eleven  years,  only  five  persons  died  of 
small-pox  in  Bavaria;  and  the  principality  of  Anspach,  it  is 
saidj  has  rejoiced  in  its  complete  extermination. 

Throughout  the  regions  of  the  earth,  with  a  rapidity,  sur- 
passing the  afflictive  march  of  the  destroyer  himself,  Vac- 
cination has  been  hailed  with  joy  ;  for  if  it  cannot  utterly 
annihilate  the  venomous  contagion,  it  can,  in  every  region 
of  the  earth,  allay  its  virulence.*  Not  only  Europe,  but 
the  remotest  sons  of  Asia,  and  the  untutored  children  even 
of  South  Africa,  while  they  partake  of  the  inestimable  bene- 
fits of  his  discovery,  unite  in  their  eulogium  of  that  illustrious 
benefactor  of  the  human  race,  immortal  Jenner. 

In  Great  Britain,  and  our  own  Free  States,  where 
LIBERTY  tempts  men,  not  only  to  reject  all  evidence,  but  do 
as  they  please,  we  can  find  multitudes,  who  are  the  necessary 
victims  of  their  own  rash  presumption.  In  Denmark,  it  is 
required  by  law,  that  no  youth,  until  he  has  exhibited  a  tes^ 
timonial  of  vaccination,  may  be  admitted  to  a  school  or  col- 
lege, or  apprenticed  to  a  trade.  But  as  our  statutes  do  not 
compel  citizens,  to  be  protected  from  a  direful  contagion, 
that  still  spreads  deformity  and  death  among  us,  we  would 
freely  offer  the  well-known  preventive  of  its  fatal  influence, 
to  all,  and  move  especially  to  strangers  and  the  poor. 

You  have  heard  the  objects  of  our  Institution.  And  are 
they  not  consecrated,  by  the  tenderest  relations  of  domestic 
life,  and  approved  by  the  best  feelings  of  humanity? 

II.  To  obtain  a  liberal  encouragement  for  objects  so 
commendable,  the  Dispensary  looked  with  confidence 
around,  upon  the  wealth  of  our  great  commercial  mart.  It 


*  See  Dr.  Craigie's  Art.  Vaccinafiov,  in  Suppl.  to  Encyc.  Britan.  p. 
712 ;  and  Eclectic  Rep.,  Vol.  II.  SOT..  V.  533.  ix.  129.  x.  297s.9. 


[    13  ] 


"saw  the  rich  men  casting  their  gifts  into  the"  Lord's 
"treasury."  On  every  side,  it  saw  an  active,  nohle  emula- 
tion, communicated  even  to  the  poor  widow  with  her  mites. 
It  rejoiced  at  this  pervading  influence  of  good  will  to  man. 
It  came  forward.  And  while  it  pointed,  with  a  deep  con- 
cern, to  the  sick  poor  and  strangers,  who  are  the  peculiar 
objects  of  its  care,  it  invited  contributions  ;  and  in  return 
for  these  it  offered  privileges,  which,  to  the  philanthropic, 
it  was  hoped,  would  be  alluring.  But  the  public  mind  was 
occupied  with  other  charities  ;  the  public  feelings  were 
vibrating  to  other  notes  of  wo ;  and  the  public  eye,  ex- 
ploring the  gi  eat  field  of  missions,  overlooked  the  simple, 
unobtrusive  efforts,  by  which  thousands,  tens  of  thousands 
of  our  own  suffering  might  be  saved  at  home. 

Far,  far  from  us,  the  sacrilegious  thought,  of  plucking 
one  leaf  from  the  full  chaplet,  that  is  to  crown  the  head  of 
him,  who  hath  "the  heathen  for  his  inheritance."  It  is  the 
language  of  our  lips,  and  the  sincere  dictate  of  our  hearts, 
"Ride  on,  thou  Most  Mighty,  conquering  and  to  conquer!" 
But  we  have  read  also  the  declaration  of  an  inspired  servant* 
of  the  LorA :  "  If  any  provide  not  for  his  own,  and  specially 
for  those  of  his  own  house,  he  hath  denied  the  faith  and  is 
worse  than  an  infidel."  And  while  our  institution  stands 
before  you,  and  directs  your  eye  to  this  brieff  catalogue  of 
life  and  annual  subscribers;  and  to  that  Treasurer's-book, 
exhibiting  its  account  of  no  more  than  eight  contributions 
made  in  Churches,  during  the  long  lapse  of  forty  years,  we 
must  rejoice  to  think,  that  it  has  persevered,  amid  such  pal- 
sying discouragements. 

There  have  been  dark  and  melancholy  hours,  when  the 


*  St  Paul,  in  his  first  Epistle  to  Timothy,  Chap.  v.  r.  8. 
t  Thp  wholp  number  of  Life  Members  and  Annual  Subscribers  is  a 
hundred  and  thirty-tico. 


[    14  ] 

Trustees  looked  around  in  vain,  for  help  in  their  extreme 
necessity.  But  as  they  contemplated  the  cloud,  that  con- 
cealed from  them  the  light  of  heaven,  they  could  behold,  at 
times, 

"God's  mercy,  in  the  azure  hue 

Of  sunny  brightness  bursting  tlirough." 

They  were  cheered  by  gladdening  anticipations.  And  they 
had  their  benefactors.  Yes !  in  their  gloomiest  hours,  they 
recognised  with  joy  some  of  the  pure  lights  that  God  has 
formed,  to  shed  their  beams  upon  our  world  of  wretchedness. 
They  persevered. 

They  could  not  think,  that  the  domestic  ties  of  tenderness 
should  be  dissolved  by  sickness.  With  an  indefatigable  as- 
siduity, they  offered  to  the  suffering  poor  and  strangers  medi- 
cal attendance  and  advice.  Where  patients  were  unable 
to  apply  for  necessary  aid,  they  were  visited  at  their  ow^ 
residences,  in  every  quarter  of  the  city.  The  Institution, 
during  the  year  1820,  prescribed  for  no  less  than  seven 
thousand  persons.  The  usual  list  of  those,  who  have  an- 
nually received  professional  attendance,  beside  all  such  as 
have  had  the  benefit  of  vaccination,  has  comprehended  six, 
seven,  or  eight  thousand.  During  the  past  year,  our  cata- 
logue exceeds  the  number  of  ten  thousand  patients.  Were 
these  thousands  indiscriminately  left  to  the  sad  fate  that 
might  attend  them,  there  are  at  least  many  hundreds,  who 
would  be  compelled  to  find  their  only  refuge  in  our  Hospi- 
tals and  Alms-house.  And  their  deserted,  miserable  families 
must  soon  be  driven  to  the  same  resort.  It  is  a  judicious 
observation  of  the  Trustees  in  one*  of  their  Reports  :  "  A 
saving  of  at  least  twenty  thousand  dollars  is  annually  made  to 


*  See  the  Annual  Report  of  the  New- York  Dispensary,  presented 
January  1829,  p.  5. 


L    15  ] 


the  city,  by  those  domiciliary  medical  visits,  and  that  general 
attendance  on  the  sick,  which  is  the  object  of  this  Institution.^^ 

Of  its  peculiar  merits,  our  City  Corporation  could  not 
long  be  unaware.  They  beheld  it,  every  hour,  extending 
aid  to  the  industrious,  and  not  only  preserving  unto  them 
their  families,  but  at  the  same  time  to  the  public  their  im- 
portant labors.  They  beheld  it  anticipating  diseases  by 
precaution,  and  administering  to  multitudes,  for  several 
years  successively,  its  numerous  and  valuable  benefits. 
And  they  beheld  all  this  done  with  so  little  vain  obtrusive- 
ness,  that  while  the  city  had  been  favoured  with  inestimable 
blessings,  it  was  unconscious  of  the  hand  that  had  bestowed 
them.  Our  Common  Council  with  great  liberality  sup- 
plied the  Institution's  pressing  wants ;  and  their  bounty 
proved  both  an  encouragement  and  stimulus. 

Ever  since  the  remote  epoch  of  the  year  1 790,  the  amia- 
ble genius  of  the  Dispensary  has  been  hovering  over  our 
great  metropolis.  On  trembling  wings,  it  has  gone  through 
every  street,  and  lane  and  avenue.  It  has  diligently  sought 
out  the  ipcpr  and  suffering  ;  it  has  awakened  tender  sensi- 
bilities in  their  behalf ;  it  has  bound  up  their  wounds  ;  it 
has  allayed  their  anguish  ;  it  has  dried  their  tears  ;  it  has 
saved  myriads*  of  lives  from  an  untimely  sepulchre. 

But,  while  dispensing  all  these  gifts,  it  has  had  no  suita- 
ble apartments,  to  be  called  its  home. 

With  mingled  sentiments  of  joy  and  grief,  it  viewed,  with- 
in the  confines  of  a  rival  city,  just  such  an  edifice  as  it  desired 
to  rear,  occupied  by  a  similar  Institution.    Founded  but 


*  During  the  last  eight  years,  according  to  the  Annual  Reports,  more 
than  sixty  thousand  patients,  afflicted  with  every  variety  of  disease,  have 
experienced  the  benetit  of  the  Disix?nsary. 


[    16  ] 


four  years  previous  to  our  Dispensary,  it  very  soon  acquired, 
by  its  donations,  and  subscriptions,  and  bequests,  a  perma- 
nent productive  fund,  and  an  ample  revenue.  While  the 
last  twenty  years  have  been  oppressing  our  Trustees  with 
every  discouragement,  our  neighbours  have  been  possessed 
of  a  commodious  building,  that  is  situated  on  an  eligible  spot, 
and  has  added  one  to  the  various  monuments  of  that  brother- 
ly kindness  and  charity,  from  which  our  Philadelphian  sister 
has  derived  her  name. 

But  our  sick  laboring  poor  have  had  no  proper  edifice 
provided  for  them.  During  the  long  lapse  of  many  years, 
they  have  resorted  to  an  uninviting,  small  frame  house,  ap- 
propriated to  the  several  incongruous  purposes  of  a  drug 
depository,  a  consulting  room,  an  operation  chamber,  and 
a  common  hall,  w^here  every  age,  and  rank,  and  sex,  and 
color,  met  in  indiscrimate  confusion.  When  that  friend 
of  suffering  humanity,  the  philanthropic  Howard  was  pur- 
suing his  career,  he  consecrated,  by  his  footsteps,  lazarettos, 
prison-ships,  and  far  less  favored  homes  of  the  unfortunate. 
But  as  he  traversed  Europe  in  his  generous  zeal,  he  heaved 
full  many  a  sigh,  as  he  reflected  on  the  importance  of  their 
amelioration.  And  no  true  friend  of  suffering  humanity  has 
passed  that  humble  shed,  which  we  have  now  deserted,  and 
which  has  so  long  been  designated,  in  large  dusky  capitals. 
City  Dispensary  ;  and  has  not  himself  heaved  the  sigh,  and 
himself  experienced  the  emotions  of  the  great  philanthropist. 

Yet  even  in  that  humble  shed,  and  in  their  darkest  mo- 
ments, the  trustees  did  not  despond.  With  beaming  eye, 
Hope  still  lifted  up  her  finger,  and  pointed  to  the  consum- 
mation, which  we  are  convened  to  celebrate. 


To  the  Trustees  of  the  Institution  I  would  say. 
Welcome  here  !    You  are  to-day  exhilarated  by  the  most 


[    17  ] 


animating  thoughts.  You  are  convened  in  the  very  edifice, 
toward  which  your  anticipations  have  so  long  been  directed. 

This  day  marks  the  most  important  epoch,  in  the  history 
of  the  Institution,  that  has  been  committed  to  your  care. 
Among  your  number  there  is  one,  who  took  an  active  part 
in  its  original  formation.  He  has  watched  its  various  vi- 
cissitudes for  forty  years.  He  has  deserved  the  honor, 
which  you  have  conferred  upon  him  as  your  President. 
In  a  happy  crisis  of  your  counsels,  when  the  rearing  of  this 
structure,  in  which  we  are  now  assembled,  was  proposed, 
a  large  donation  for  this  object  proved  that  he  applauded 
the  good  work.  His  example  was  soon  followed,  by  liberal 
private  contributions ;  and  by  the  addition  of  a  generous* 
grant,  appropriate  to  the  relation  of  our  municipal  fathers 
and  to  your  admirable  cause,  the  edifice  has  been  completed. 

You  this  day  open  your  sanctuary,  consecrated  to  the 
poor  man  and  the  stranger. 


To  the  Attending  Physicians  of  the  Dispensary 
we  cannot  turn  without  deep  interest. 

It  is  your  province.  Gentlemen,  to  confer  those  blessings, 
which  the  Trustees  design.  By  your  fidelity,  they  shall 
continue  in  the  public  confidence. 

Possessed  of  privileges,  which  are  the  envy  of  your  pro- 
fessional companions,  you  may  partake  the  benefit  of  all 
those  practical  select  results,  which  are  afforded  by  ten  thou- 
sand annual  patients.    Every  day,  from  the  hour  of  nine  un- 


*  The  donation  of  the  Common  Council  was  twenly-five  hundred  dol- 
lars ;  that  of  Mr.  Watts  was  five  hundred  ;  and  the  private  contributions 
amounted  to  tljyee  thousand.  See  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Dispen.sary 
for  the  last  year,  p.  9. 

3 


[  18  ] 

til  two  o'clock,  you  may  attend  in  the  receiving  rooms,  and 
there  examine  and  prescribe  to  such,  as  may  then  make 
application  for  your  medical  advice.  In  your  appropriate 
districts,  you  may  increase  your  practice  to  an  indefinite  ex- 
tent. You  are  free  to  vaccinate  all  those,  vy^ho  have  not 
previously  been  vaccinated ;  and,  year  after  year,  you  may 
call  expressly  for  this  purpose,  at  each  house  vv^ithin  the  dis- 
trict that  has  been  assigned  to  you.  These  prerogatives,  in 
the  By-Laws  of  the  Dispensary,  are  called  your  duties. 
But  if  performed  in  the  true  spirit  by  which  you  should  be 
actuated  at  all  times,  they  are  your  privilege.  They  con- 
duct you  into  the  best  path  of  professional  experience ;  they 
place  before  you,  in  unlimited  abundance, 

"  the  luxury  of  doing  good." 

You  have  some  trials  to  encounter.  Your  skilful  prac- 
tice will  be  unappreciated.  Yet,  as  your  occupation  may 
be  appropriately  termed,  in  the  poetic  language  of  the  bard 
of  Mantua,*  "artes  mutae,"  y  ou  should  bear  in  mind,  tnat 
though  least  ostentatious,  it  is  among  the  most  useful  of  Apol- 
lo's arts.  You  may  at  times  experience  the  pang,  that  is 
inflicted  by  base  ingratitude.  You  may  be  indefatigably 
diligent ;  but  you  will  ever  be  exposed  to  cruel  charges  of 
neglect.  You  share  in  this  the  common  fate  of  the  bene- 
ficent. By  your  undeviating  devotion,  let  the  Trustees  be 
enabled  always  to  rejoice,  that  the  severest  scrutiny  will  but 
proclaim  your  praise  !  It  is  a  pleasing  thought,  that  with 
a  few  discouragements,  you  have  the  rarest  opportunities, 
for  an  enlarged  charity  to  your  fellow-men.  Upon  the  bed 
of  languishing,  and  in  the  moment  of  solicitude,  the  sick  are 
glad  at  your  approach.  Amid  your  various  duties,  you  will 
always  read  this  record  of  your  influence. 


*  Virgil,  in  his  yEncid,  Ub.  XII.  lin.  397.  In  this  passage,  the  poet 
tells  of  the  memorable  choice  of  lapyx,  and  associates  the  art  of  medicine 
with  the  most  endearing  sympathies  of  our  nature. 


t    19  ] 

And,  as  the  gasping  mortal  is  exhibited  before  you,  and 
you  perceive,  as  you  have  often  done,  that  he  calls 

 "not 

For  .Esculapian,  but  for  vioral  aid," 

by  a  few  words  fitly  spoken,  to  arrest  and  lead  his  soul  to 
God,  you  may  then  magnify  your  office.*  It  has  been  said 
by  one  of  old  time 

^Irirpos  yap  avfip  noWav  avrd^ios  aWuvt 

And  since  the  days,  when  Homer  first  pronounced  this  eu- 
logyt  upon  the  healing  art,  unnumbered  myriads  have  felt 
its  truth,  and  owned  when  in  the  agonies  of  suffering, 

One  physician  is  worth  many  other  men." 

By  improving  to  the  spiritual  as  well  as  the  corporeal  good  of 
the  afflicted,  your  frequent,  favorable  opportunities  of  united 
medical  and  moral  aid, — while  you  perpetuate,  you  may 
also  sanctify  this  encomium  of  your  character  and  office. 

If  you  wsh  the  countenance  of  your  professional  supe- 
riors, you  need  but  look  around  you,  to  discover  it  on  every 
side.  We  rejoice  to  be  distinguished  by  their  presence,  on 
an  occasion  such  as  this. 


To  the  Consulting  Physicians  of  the  Dispensary, 
and  to  all  their  Professional  Associates  here,  we  would 
say.  Welcome,  Votaries  of  the  healing  art ! 


*  Hippocrates,  in  describing  the  accomplished  physician,  says  that  he 
is  godlike  :  IrjTpbs  yap  <pi\6(jo(pos,  ic6deos.  Hc  details  tlie  characteristics,  ol 
which  such  should  be  possessed  ;  and  among  these,  he  is  careful  to  desig- 
nate a  profound  reverence  for  religion.  See  his  treatise  HEPI  'ET. 
SXHMOSYNHS,  Opeba,  Tom.  I.  Sect.  1.  p.  25.  1.  19.  3L  31.  edit. 
Francof  1595. 

t  Homer  ascribes  these  words  to  Idomeneus,  in  praise  of  the  physician 
Machaon.    Se  the  Iliad,  A'.  514. 


[    20  ] 

Your  science  is  adorned  with  every  tribute,  that  can  be 
afforded  by  the  greatest  intellectual  and  moral  worth.  It 
has  been  told  of  your  most  accomplished  ancient  guide  and 
teacher,  that  the  course  of  his  long  life  ica^  but  a  single  action, 
the  relieving  of  the  sick;  and  in  his  soul  there  was  but  one  sen- 
timent, the  love  of  doing  good.*  And  while  pronouncing 
this  panegyric  upon  him,  who  by  pre-eminence  has  been  en- 
titled the  divine  Hippocrates  ;  that  great  reformer  of  your 
science,  the  renowned  Galen,  himself  emulated  these  ines- 
timable virtues. 

Your  profession,  Gentlemen,  has  been  adorned  in  every 
age  by  multitudes,  who  have  done  honor  to  their  distinguish- 
ed forefathers.  With  Cullen,  they  have  devoted  their  best 
days  to  the  indigent,  by  gratuitous  services.  With  Fother- 
GiLL,  "the  half  of  all"  their  goods  they  have  given  "to  the 
poor."  With  Sydenham,  they  have  considered  their  pe- 
cuniary far  inferior  to  their  moral  recompense.  In  the  no- 
ble amor  patriot,  of  our  Warren,  and  our  Mercer,  they 
have  left  the  field  of  their  profession  for  the  field  of  war, 
and  been  the  saviours  of  their  country.  With  our  Rush, 
and  our  Bard,  they  have  associated  science  with  the  most 
estimable  qualities  of  private  life.  And  in  the  spirit  of 
Cheselden  and  Hoffman,  Haller,  Hartley,  Stahl 
and  our  own  lamented  Ramsay,  they  have  not  only 

"Look'd  through  nature  up  to  nature's  God," 

but  with  the  learned,  the  devout,  immortal  Boerhaave, 
exemplified  the  loveliest  attributes  of  meek  piety,  and  un- 
dissembled  Christian  faith.    In  these  bright  exemplars,  it  is 


*  Nothinor  but  his  own  habitual  exercise  of  the  best  quahties  of  the  head 
and  heart,  could  have  sujrcrested  the  many  admirable  sentiments,  in  regard 
to  the  intellectual,  moral  and  religious  qualifications  of  an  accomphshed 
physician,  that  arc  to  be  found  in  the  'OPKOS,  NOMOS  and  HEPI 
'EYXXHMOSrNHi:  of  Hippocrates,  and  in  the  other  writings  contained 
in  the  Jirst  Section  of  his  Opera,  Tom.  I.  pp.  32.  edit.  Franco/.  L'SOfx 


[    21  J 


emphatically  true,*  that  while  "  the  skill  of  the  physician" 
lifteth  up  "his  head;"  "in  the  sight  of  great  men  he  shall 
be  held  in  admiration." 

Successors  and  associates  of  these  memorable  worthies ! 
In  commending  to  you  our  Institution,  which  you  have  been 
pleased  to  honor  with  your  presence  at  this  time  ;  under  a 
deep  sense  of  your  past  bounties,  the  Dispensary  still  looks 
to  you  with  confidence,  for  the  illustration  of  the  same  at- 
tributes, in  its  behalf.  The  Trustees  do  not  ask  that  far- 
famed  prodigality,  for  which  the  amiable  Doctor  Heberden 
was  once  accosted  with  severe  reproofs,  but  mildly  answer- 
ed,! "After  all  my  charities,  I  am  afraid  that  I  shall  die 
shamefully  rich  — but  they  are  encouraged  by  the  animat- 
ing thought,  that  as  the  honored  mantle  of  your  predecessors 
has  been  transmitted  unto  you,  this  institution  has  great 
things  in  store  for  it,  to  be  supplied  by  your  munificence. 


To  the  Reverend  Clergy  of  different  denominations, 
who  have  fiow  conferred  on  us  the  favor  of  their  kind  at- 
tention, we  turn  with  great  regard,  and  say,  Welcome,  Min- 
isters of  our  holy  faith  ! 

Your  glorious  theme  is  in  the  skies ;  but  our  world  of  sin, 
and  suffering,  and  sorrow — yes,  the  avorld  is  the  fieldX  of 
your  devout  beneficence.  Until  the  heavens  and  the  earth 
shall  pass  away,  the  poor  afflicted  sons  and  daughters  of 


*  In-the  words  of  EccLEsiASTicus,  Chap,  xxxviii.  r.  3. 

t  Dr.  Rush  relates  this  fact,  in  the  conclusion  of  a  Lecture  on  the  Vices 
and  Virtues  of  Physicians.  He  gives  an  honorable  notice  also  of  several 
eminent  names  mentioned  above,  and  adds  to  them  Botallus,  Lobb,  Rad- 
cliif,  Friend,  Russel  and  Tissot.  See  Six  Introductory  Lectures  by  Benj. 
Rush,  M.  D.,  Lect.  V.  p.  134.  edit.  Phila.  180L 

t  St.  Matthew,  Chap.  xiii.  v.  38. 


[    22  ] 

mortality  you  shall  always  have  with  you.  This  was  the  ex- 
plicit* declaration  of  your  heavenly  master.  And  in  rela- 
tion to  the  children  of  poverty,  he  hath  set  you  an  example, 
that  you  should  follow  in  his  steps. 

Ye  heralds  of  the  Saviour's  love  !  Ye  are  the  disciples 
of  Him,  whose  history  is  comprised  in  that  brief,  eloquent, 
yet  simple  record,f  "  He  went  about  doing  good."  With 
what  propriety  may  you,  in  every  way,  be  patrons  of  an  In- 
stitution, the  design  of  which  is  to  heal^  "  all  manner  of  sick- 
ness.and  all  manner  of  disease  among  the  people. 


To  those,  who  give  the  liveliest  interest  to  our  anniver- 
sary, we  turn  with  a  peculiar  satisfaction.  Welcome  ye, 
whose  tender,  amiable  sympathies,  invest  you  with  a  charm 
above  "the  sterner  sex." 

It  is  recorded  in  the  history  of  ancient  times,  that  ye 
were  daughters  of  benevolence.  Yet  in  the  social  circles 
both  of  Greece  and  Rome,  with  every  refinement  of  the  arts 
which  they  professed  to  cultivate,  we  see  the  gentler  sex  in 
a  servility,  by  which  their  mental  aspirations  and  their  moral 
feeUngs  were  continually  repressed.  Throughout  the  re- 
gions of  the  Oriental  continent,  no  other  prospect  is  ex- 
hibited. The  sentiments  of  the  Arabians,  and  Persians, 
and  Hindoos  are  well  known.  And  the  Chinese,  with  their 
pretensions  to  be  the  "  Guides  and  Teachers  of  the  Uni- 
verse," indulge  in  prejudices,  that  are  by  no  means  less  de- 
grading and  repugnant.    The  celebrated  eulogy  §  upon  the 

♦  St.  Matthew,  Chap.  xxvi.  v.  11.  St.  Mark,  Chap.  xiv.  r.  7. 
St.  John,  Chap.  xii.  v.  8. 

t  In  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  Chap.  x.  r.  38. 
t  St.  Matthew,  Chap.  iv.  v.  23. 

§  For  the  author's  own  words,  introduced  by  some  very  appropriate  ob- 
servations, see  the  Life  of  Ledyard  by  Jared  Sp>»rks,  Chap.  XI.  pp. 
264.  265.  edit.  Cambridge,  1828. 


[    23  ] 


native  qualities  of  woman,  which  was  pronounced  by  that 
great  traveller,  our  lar-lamed  Ledyard,  is  true  indeed, 

'•  From  sultn*  India,  to  the  Pole." 

But  to  mingle  in  society ;  to  give  a  motive  and  an  interest 
to  all  its  varied  occupations  ;  to  tame  and  mollify  the  ruder 
passions  of  the  soul ;  in  the  expressive  language  of  an  ad- 
mirable moralist, 

To  make  man  mild  and  sociable  to  man 

to  be  what  the  Great  God  of  Love  intended  ;  and  in  a  word, 
to  occupy  the  influential  rank  of  Christian  women  : — this 
is  encouraged,  only  by  the  hallowed  spirit  of  our  Faith. 
It  invests 

"  The  crowning  of  creation's  birth" 

with  its  own  loveliest  and  purest  moral  drapery  ;  and  it 
makes  woman,  by  the  exercise  of  her  appropriate  influence, 
the  niinistermg  herald  of  its  best  charities  to  man. 

To  all  succeeding  generations,  this  is  a  suitable  reward 
for  those,'who,  when  the  Crucified  had  been  forsaken  of  all 
others,  were  his  inseparable  friends, 

Last  at  the  cross,  and  earUest  at  the  grave." 

O  !  let  your  sentiments  enliven,  and  your  words  direct,  the 
tenderest  sympathies  of  man  to  the  relief  of  the  unfortunate. 
And  let  us  be  cheered  by  the  assurance,  that  around  this 
refuge  of  the  poor  man  and  the  stranger,  your  sensibilities 
are  hovering.  It  will  be  an  animating  thought,  that  thus 
you  may  be  considered  as  the  guardian  angels  of  the  place. 


With  grateful  feelings,  we  would  address  on  this  occasion 
the  Municipal  Authorities  of  our  city.    Welcome  ye, 


[    24  ] 


who  from  the  earliest  age  have  been  appropriately  desig- 
nated "  the  guardians  of  the  people." 

Entrusted  with  the  civil  rights  of  our  great  commercial 
emporium,  it  is  your  honorable  charge,  to  be  protectors  of 
the  health  and  happiness  of  the  very  chief  among  the  cities 
of  our  favored  land.  You  are  the  chosen  fathers  of  a  popu- 
lation of  two  hundred  thousand  freemen. 

It  was  the  pride  of  ancient  kings,  to  be  accounted  the 
preservers  of  the  public  health ;  and  we  rejoice,  that  you 
have  wisely  emulated  their  example.  Your  grant  has  given 
us  the  very  soil,  that  now  supports  this  edifice,  in  which  we 
are  assembled.  In  your  distinguished  generosity,  its  foun- 
dation was  first  laid ;  and,  when  private  contributions  proved 
inadequate  for  the  completion  of  the  superstructure,  the 
topstone  also  was  supplied,'  with  a  municipal  magnanimity. 
To  you,  who  are  not  friends  and  patrons  of  the  rich  only, 
we  commend  our  Dispensary,  which  has  been  founded, 
chiefly  for  the  industrious  poor. 

They  were  the  wisest  and  most  wholesome  institutions* 
of  the  lirst  VALE^TINIAN,  that  encouraged  science  and  the 
arts  ;  trained  up  Roman  youth  with  a  liberal  and  useful 
education  ;  and,  to  protect  the  health  of  all  the  suffering 
poor,  throughout  the  fourteen  districts  of  the  imperial  city, 
appointed!  to  these  districts  fourteen  professors  of  the 


♦  These  are  found  in  the  Codex  Theodosianus,  lib.  XIII.  tit.  III.  and 
lib.  XIV.  tit.  IX.,  as  quoted  in  the  Ancient  Universal  History,  Vol.  XVI. 
B.  IV.  Chap.  III.  p.  304.,  and  in  Gibbon's  Decline  and  Fall  of  the  Ro- 
man Empire,  Chap.  XXV.  aiv  364 — 375. 

t  In  this,  the  leading  motive  of  Valentinian  was  to  provide  for  the  poor. 
Mr.  Gibbon  simply  states,  that  Valentinian  estabhshed  "  fourteen  skilful 
physicians,  with  stipends  and  privileges,  in  the  fourteen  quarters  of  Rome." 
But  the  benevolent  design  of  the  Emperor  is  particularly  mentioned  in  the 
Ancient  Unin.  Hist.,  as  just  cited. 


t    26  ] 

healing  art.  All  these  were  salutary  regulations.  And 
their  goodly  influence  was  felt,  in  the  prevailing  peace  and 
plenty  of  the  illustrious  capital.  In  science  and  the  arts, 
we  can  exult  that  you,  our  conscript  fathers,  have  pursued 
the  liberal  policy  of  Valentinian.  And  faithfully  avoiding 
his  unwarrantable,  arbitrary  use  of  private  property  of  citi- 
zens for  the  completion  of  his  laudable  designs,  it  is  to  the 
praise  of  your  good  counrcls,  that  without  his  ill-gained 
treasures,  you  have  exhibited  a  Roman  generosity  ! 

We  desire,  never  to  forget  or  forfeit  your  distinguished 
favor  ;  but  to  present  new  considerations  for  its  exercise, 
in  promoting  our  best  exertions  for  the  welfare  of  that  great 
civic  family,  over  whose  interests  you  are  now  presiding. 


As  we  turn  to  this  enlightened  audience,  whom  we  re- 
gard also  as  the  representatives  of  our  great  community,  we 
would  appeal  to  them,  to  perpetuate  the  blessings  of  our 
Institution,  to  their  children,  and  their  children's  children. 

We  hftil  with  sentiments  of  joy  all  those,  who  have  a  sigh 
or  tear  of  pity,  for  the  corporeal  sufferings  of  their  fellow- 
men.    Is  there  one  here,  who 

From  his  oirn,  lias  learn' J  to  melt  at  others'  woe  7" 

We  would  say  to  him,  Forbid  us  not,  to  send  our  gifts  of  mer- 
cy to  the  wretched.  Is  there  a  Christian  here?  Our  ope- 
rations could  not  be  more  graphically  pictured,  than  where 
the  Son  of  Man  describes  himself,  upon  his  throne  at  the 
great  day,  announcing  to  his  faithful  followers,  "I  was  sick, 
and  ye  visited  me."  To  the  icealthy  who  may  be  present 
here,  We  would  now  say :  Reflect  upon  the  frequent,  sudden, 
total  changes  in  the  caprice  of  Fortune,  which  you  behold 
everyday;  and  by  contributing  to  the  support  of  our  in- 
valuable Institution,  think,  that  you  may  be  laying  up  in 
4 


[    26  ] 


store  a  blessing  for  your  own  posterity.    If  it  is  said,  that 

 "  numbers,  once  in  Fortunes  lap  high  fed. 

Solicit  the  cold  hand  of  Charity," 

it  is  emphatically  true,  that  the  descendants  in  the  third  and 
fourth  generation  of  the  most  opulent  among  us,  may  one 
day  commend,  while  they  participate  the  fruit  of  those  tes- 
tamentary largesses  which  we  solicit.  Is  there  one  here, 
who  has  never  seriously  reflected  on  this  subject]  From  this 
moment,  you  will  be  without  excuse.  And  while  our  mes- 
sengers of  mercy  are  on  their  errands  to  the  sick,  you  can- 
not, without  violating  your  increased  responsibilities,  deny 
them  a  satisfactory  proof  of  your  best  wishes. 

Is  there  an  individual  among  us,  who  has  a  heart  to  give 
at  all  ]  We  would  say  to  him,  You  can  find  no  medium  for 
your  bounty,  that  is  more  truly  unexceptionable.  Could  we 
depict  to  you  the  various  and  unnumbered  operations  of  the 
Dispensary,  in  one  great  panoramic  view,  you  would  at  a 
glance  perceive,  that  it  has  saved  myriads  of  lives,  and  bene- 
fited multitudes  beyond  enumeration.  O  what  pain  of  bo- 
dy, and  what  agony  of  soul  has  it  alleviated  ! 

But  we  do  not  wish  you,  merely  to  applaud  our  purposes. 
There  is  a  volume,  which  is  admitted  to  be  the  best  of 
books  ;  yet  tens  of  thousands  turn  from  it  to  the  empty  fic- 
tions of  a  day.  And  while  all  reverence  our  Dispensary, 
they  are  more  powerfully  attracted,  by  some  fashionable  or 
romantic  scheme  of  doing  good.  About  our  popular  benevo- 
lent societies,  there  is  a  radiance  that  may  be  clouded,  and 
a  spell  that  may  be  broken,  at  one  time  by  civil,  and  at 
another  by  religious  discord.  But  there  is  no  sectarian  pe- 
culiarity, to  direct  or  limit  our  operations ;  there  are  no  po- 
litical intrigues,  with  a  rude  hand  to  sever  our  bond  of  chari- 
ty.   It  is  therefore  our  ardent  wish,  that  all  the  philanthroj 


[    27  ] 


pic,  of  every  religious  and  political  denominaliouy  would  not 
only  praise,  but  take  a  part  in  our  unexceptionable  work. 

It  should  excite  the  emulation  of  some  among  our  num- 
ber, that  while  so  many  of  our  friends  around  us  have  been 
shedding'  their  last  smile  upon  every  other  Institution,  only 
two  of  all  who  have  departed  hence  into  the  world  of  im- 
mortality,— only  two  have  remembered  us  upon  their  bed  of 
death.  And  one  of  these, — We  hesitate  to  speak  out  the 
humbling  fact, — yes,  one  of  these  was  not  our  fellow-citi- 
zen. His  pious  liberality  directs  our  thoughts  toward 
Newark,  and  calls  upon  us  to  cherish  in  our  memories  the 
name  of  Hill.*  And  the  Society  of  Friends,  at  all  times 
among  the  foremost  in  good  deeds  to  man,  contemplates,  in 
the  person  of  a  benefactor  of  the  human  race,  one  of  their 
number,  our  only  other  patron.    But  now, 

"  While  hither  oft  a  glance  from  liigh 
He  sends  of  tender  sympathy," 

by  his  well-remembered,  lovely  traits  of  character,  "  though 
dead,"  the  benevolent  John  MuRRAvf  "  speaketh,"  and 
saith  in  ithe  language  of  his  divine  master  and  example, 
**  Go  thou  and  do  likewise" 

We  repeat  it,  as  the  ardent  wish  of  our  souls,  that  all  the 
philanthropic  of  every  religious  and  political  denomination, 
would  not  only  praise,  but  take  a  part  in  our  unexception- 
able work.  We  can  suggest  no  higher  theme ;  we  can 
propose  no  purer  occupation :  for  charity  is  the  centre  of 


*  A  bequest  of  five  hundred  dollars,  to  be  appropriated  to  the  humane 
purposes  of  the  Dispensary,  was  generously  made  in  the  year  18-26,  by 
Peter  Hill,  Esq.,  of  Newark,  New-Jersey. 

7  The  Trustees  feel  a  lively  sense  of  gratitude,  for  the  mterest  which 
John  Murray,  Jun.  always  manifested  in  the  success  of  their  good 
work  ;  and  they  record  with  pleasure  the  evidence  of  this,  in  liis  l«Mjncv 
<.f  two  hundred  dolhirs,  l«'ft  to  fluMii  in  the  year  1HI!». 


[    28  ] 


all  virtues  and  all  blessedness,  on  earth  and  in  that  bi'ighter 
world. 

"  Hope,  and  her  sister  Faith  were  given, 
But  as  our  guides  to  yonder  sky  ; 
Soon  as  they  reach  the  verge  of  heav'n, 
Lost  in  the  blaze  of  bliss,  tliey  die  : 
But  long  as  Love,  Almighty  Love, 
Shall  on  His  throne  of  thrones  abide, 
Thou  shalt,  O  Charity  !  dwell  above. 
Smiling  forever  at  his  side  !'■' 

In  his  professional  enthusiasm,  an  eminent  physician  of 
our  land  anticipated,  that  the  time  would  come,  when  his 
successors  migh  exult  in  the  perfection  of  their  science. 
"  Hospitals"  said  he*  "  shall  be  unknown.  The  groans  of 
pain,  the  ravings  of  madness,  and  the  sighs  of  melancholy, 
shall  be  heard  no  more.  The  cradle  and  the  grave  shall 
then  no  longer  be  related."  Pleasing  vision  !  Yet  illusive 
as  the  dreams  of  Paracelsus',  with  regard  to  this  world  ;  and 
to  be  realised  there,  and  there  only,  where,  in  the  sinless 
transports  of  the  beatified,  "  there  shall  be  no  more  death, 
neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more 
pain."  But  even  that  enrapturing  consummation  shall  be 
the  fruit  of  never-failing  charity.  It  is  the  essence  of  the 
Most  Merciful  himself;  it  is  the  salvation  of  the  world  ;  it  is 
the  employment  of  angels  ;  it  is  the  bliss  of  the  redeemed  ; 
it  is  the  occupation  of  eternity  ! 


*  These  are  the  words  of  Dr.  Rush,  in  his  Lecture  on  the  Causes 
tchich  have  retarded  the  Progress  of  Medicine.  See  his  (Si.r  Introducto- 
ry Lectures,  Lect.  VL  j).  IGG.  edit.  Phila.  180L 


